I started to create a list of all my climbing gear and an estimated replacement value for house and contents insurance purposes and was shocked by the final dollar amount. I was wondering what everyone was doing about insuring gear. At home insured under house and contents but I am starting to worry about a Crag. Especially the practice of leaving gear in a car or tent while stay at the crag. Do people get portable item insure for gear and at what cost? I don't know of much theft at our popular crags but how long before we can't leave a pack at a bottom of a climb or gear in a tent when we go swimming?

I've only been ripped off once while climbing and that was at Nowra in NSW. I don't have my gear insured except when it is at home. Victoria seems pretty good in this area and I hope it stays that way.

I have had my gear stolen whilst overseas - and got it all replaced using travel insurance. Not sure how my home contents insurance works though... i am sure i asked the question when i signed up about replacing my gear that has been stolen from my car. I better check my policy out.

I've had a backpack stolen out of my car with a sportrack, personal gear and rope in it. Managed to claim it on house and contents cos the car was parked in the driveway, doesn't count if its parked elsewhere, say the street (lucky hey ;-) $100 excess and brand new gear.. it was like xmas! worked out to be about $2200 worth and that didn't even include any natural gear which was at home - they didn't require all receipts (I didn't have any really) although I provided photos of me climbing and pointed out my rope, harness etc hehe

I now have general effects on my house and contents insurance.. cost about $100 extra and now all my climbing gear as well as other stuff (not camping gear) is covered wherever I go, I think it has to be stolen out of the car though (not in my ute tray) but i'm sure it would definitely be in the car if it was stolen ;-) i think it is also covered in the tent if ur car is parked next to it.

i also had a bag stolen but the insurance wouldnt pay. it had a clause about the items being unattended. i dont think they would pay for items left at the bottom of a crag or in a tent. the trick(i know now) is to lie...

Spent sometime talking to the RACV about adding gear to my portable item list under my contents insurance. It follows under sporting equipment which not be covered when in use but would be covered when in the car at the crag or in the tent. Cost is $22 per $1000 of gear, ie a rack worth $5000 would cost you $110 pa to insure. Some food for thought.